Spinal Intradural Aneurysmal Bone Cyst: A Case Report

Unusual presentation of aneurysmal bone cyst with scoliosis: a case report

BACKGROUND

Aneurysmal bone cysts are benign bone tumors that not uncommonly involves the spine. However, this involvement can cause scoliosis, albeit rarely. This report focuses on the importance of proper management for complete tumor resection to prevent recurrence and spinal deformity.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 12-year-old Middle Eastern boy, with a history of T11 aneurysmal bone cyst resection and bone grafting carried out at another hospital, presented with spine deformity of 4 months' duration. The deformity was not associated with pain or neurological deficit. A whole-spine magnetic resonance imaging with contrast confirmed the recurrence of the aneurysmal bone cyst. Posterior spinal instrumentation with corpectomy of T11 was then performed, and confirmed with histopathology the recurrence of aneurysmal bone cyst. Two years post-corpectomy, deformity correction was done from T5-L4.

CONCLUSION

Management of aneurysmal bone cysts requires meticulous planning and full excision to prevent recurrence, especially in the growing spine. If neglected, it can cause major spinal deformities and cord compression, which places a medical burden on the patient and family. To avoid such complications, treating aneurysmal bone cysts along with scoliosis correction can prevent deformity progression.

Primary Benign Tumors of the Spinal Canal

Benign tumors that grow in the spinal canal are heterogeneous neoplasms with low incidence; from these, meningiomas and nerve sheath tumors (neurofibromas and schwannomas) account for 60%-70% of all primary spinal tumors. Benign spinal canal tumors provoke nonspecific clinical manifestations, mostly related to the affected level of the spinal cord. These tumors present a challenge for the patient and healthcare professionals, for they are often difficult to diagnose and the high frequency of posttreatment complications. In this review, we describe the epidemiology, risk factors, clinical features, diagnosis, histopathology, molecular biology, and treatment of extramedullary benign meningiomas, osteoid osteomas, osteoblastomas, aneurysmal bone cysts, osteochondromas, neurofibromas, giant cell tumors of the bone, eosinophilic granulomas, hemangiomas, lipomas, and schwannomas located in the spine, as well as possible future targets that could lead to an improvement in their management.